Volunteer

How to Get Involved

The Alameda Food Bank is run by unpaid volunteers, led by a full time Director and a full time Program Coordinator.  Working at the Food Bank provides an opportunity to assist people in our community with some of their most fundamental needs.  Our programs are ideal for individuals and families who live in the City of Alameda. If you live outside of Alameda, you may wish to visit www.helpnow.org for opportunities in your community.

If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity for youth or for families, please look at the CFS Distribution information (click here ).

If you are an Alameda resident seeking a site to complete a community service commitment for school or court, please look at the CFS Distribution information (click here).

Following is a list of volunteer opportunities at the Alameda Food Bank. All of these positions except for the CFS Distribution require at least a six-month commitment. If a position you are interested in is not open at this time, please check back here since volunteers' schedules can change.

Weekly:

FILLED Client Greeter-Greet Clients, check client ID, input client info into computer.
Ideal Volunteer- Friendly, good with paperwork/details, basic familiarity with personal computers required, multilingual a bonus.
(Mon., Wed., Fri. from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Tues. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm, Thurs 8:am to 11:00 am and Sat. from 10:00 am -2:00 pm.

FILLED New Client Intake Person -Greet Clients, check client eligibility, explain Food Bank process and programs, input client info into computer.
Ideal Volunteer- Friendly, good with paperwork/details, familiarity with personal computers required, multilingual a bonus.
(Mon., Wed., Fri. from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Tues. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm and Sat. from 10:00 am -2:00 pm)

FILLED Produce Table- Prepare produce for distribution. Assist clients in shopping for produce.
Ideal Volunteer- Friendly, loves fruit and vegetables, organizing skills, much client contact.
(Mon., Wed., Fri. from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm, Tues. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm and Sat. from 10:00 am -2:00 pm)

FILLED Ticket Runner- Fulfill client order tickets.
Ideal Volunteer- Organized, ability to lift 40 lbs., much client contact.
(Mon., Wed., Fri. from 12:45 pm to 4:30 pm, Tues. 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 pm and Sat. from 10:00 am -2:00 pm)

FILLED Food Box Packer- Prepare non-perishable food boxes for households of various sizes.
Ideal Volunteer- Ability to work independently, lift 25 lbs., minimal client contact.
(Mon., Wed., Fri. from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm or 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm and Tues. 4:00pm to 7:00 pm)

FILLED Food Box Shopper- Assist clients with selecting their own non-perishable goods.
Ideal Volunteer- Friendly, multilingual (particularly Vietnamese) a bonus, much client contact.
(2nd and 3rd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm)

OPEN Monday and Friday Slot Produce Packer- Receive and prepare Trader Joe’s donations.
Ideal Volunteer- Organizational skills, ability to lift 40 lbs., no client contact.
( Mon. Wed. Fri. 10:30 am - 1:30 pm, Tues. from 11:00 am - 3:00pm and Thurs. from 12:00 pm- 4:30 pm)

FILLED TJ’s Pick-up- Drive the Alameda Food Bank van to pick up Trader Joe’s donation once a week.
Ideal Volunteer- Clean DMV record for 3 years & ability to lift 50 lbs. Great for two people..
(Every day from 10:30 am-12:30 pm)

FILLED Farmer’s Market Pick-Up- Drive the Alameda Food Bank van to pick up Farmer’s Markets donations.
Ideal Volunteer- Clean DMV record for 5 years & ability to lift 50 lbs. Great for two people.
(Sun. from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm at Jack London Square. Tues. from 12:45 pm to 2:00 pm and Sat. from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm at Haight and Webster streets in Alameda) Currently alternate Saturdays available.

FILLED Perishable Food Program- Sort and distribute perishable food at 650 W. Ranger.
Ideal Volunteer- Friendly, organizational skills, much client contact.
(Thurs. from 8:00 am- 11:00 am) 

FILLED Non-Perishable Food Sorter - Sort non-perishable food and non-food items at the Food Bank Warehouse at 650 W. Ranger.
Requires lifting 40 pounds and standing for extended periods Excellent job for pair our couple
(Time to be determined, mostly weekdays) 

Monthly:

OPEN CFS Distribution- Preparation and distribution of nonperishable goods at 650 W. Ranger.
This is the ONLY opportunity available to volunteers between 13 and 18 years of age. Minors must bring written permission from a parent or guardian to participate. All skills put to use. No walk-in volunteers permitted. Sign ups for the next month's "First Saturday" progam will begin the Monday following the most recent distribution.

(First Sat. of each month from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm)

FILLED CFS Home Delivery- Deliver Client Food Selection food to 4-6 homebound clients in your own vehicle.
Ideal Volunteer- Great opportunity for parent/ child or couples. Ability to lift 20 pounds, vehicle required.
(First Sat. of each month from 9:00 am to 11:00 am)

FILLED Monthly Food Pantry Home Delivery- Deliver monthly pantry food to 4-6 homebound clients in your own vehicle.
Ideal Volunteer- Great opportunity for parent/ child or couples. Ability to lift 20 pounds, vehicle required.
(3rd Wed. of each month from 9:00 am to 11:00 am)

From Home:

OPEN Writer/Editor- Work from home drafting donor appeal letters, grants and other communications.
Ideal Volunteer-Self-starter with excellent writing and editing skills who likes to work independently, sees projects through to completion by due dates; ability to interpret and report on data a plus.
(no set times)

OPEN Grants Researcher - Work from home conducting internet searches to find potential corporate and foundation donors and to make initial contact.
Ideal Volunteer-Self-starter who loves to use the internet to do research, can make contact with potential funders and evaluate the prospects.
(no set times)

FILLED Donor/E-Communications Researcher - - Work from home investigating potential web-based businesses who can offer e-mail marketing for non-profits.
Ideal Volunteer-Self-starter who is familiar with the e-mail marketing techniques and practices who can research, evaluate and recommend a service provider.
(A short-term 4 month project)

How to Contact Us

If you are interested in volunteering for these or perhaps other positions at the Food Bank, please send us an email to volunteer@alamedafoodbank.org with your information and we will get back to you within three business days.